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The Conditional Love of God

Writer's picture: Jared SmithJared Smith

“God’s love is unconditional” is a phrase that we have all heard at one point in our Christian life. This “Christianese” is a very comforting assertion that bears some truth but does not explain it all. When we read texts like our current one, Jeremiah 7:1-15, we are forced to ask questions concerning God’s unconditional love, covenant, promises, and more. In Jeremiah 7:5 and following, God makes it clear to Judah that it is only through their obedience – which includes their repentance of law breaking – that they will get to experience the blessing of living in the land and keeping the temple unscathed. These are conditions that God gives the people. But this does not seem like a benevolent, unconditionally loving, heavenly father, so how are we to think of Him and His interaction with us?

To be fair, we must admit that what most people mean when they speak of the unconditional love of God, is emotionally driven. God is indeed full of love, mercy, and grace, always ready to bestow His blessings on His people. It is also true that God’s unconditionality is seen in His election. God’s people have done absolutely nothing to earn the favor of God. A great depiction of this is in Genesis 15, in which God makes His covenant with Abraham by putting Abraham to sleep prior to the ceremony. By placing Abraham into a deep sleep, God is taking on the responsibility of the covenant on Himself. And yet, we still need to deal with the reality that God expresses conditions to His people.

Returning to Jeremiah 7, as much as we recognize the unconditional nature of God’s covenant with Abraham and his seed, we also know the reality that God makes good on His promises to Judah who continue in their disobedience by exiling them from the land and destroying the temple. At the very least, what this tells us is that the fullness of God’s blessings cannot be experienced through a life of disobedience, rather we experience His blessings in obedience. First, we are called to obey God because He is our supreme authority to whom we owe our allegiance. Secondly, we obey God out of sheer gratitude for the great work He has done for us. And thirdly, we obey God because as the creator of the universe, He knows better than us how life works. Being wise means obeying the creator instead of going off on our own.

Finally, the conditional nature of God’s love informs us of His character. God is Holy and requires holiness in His presence. We are far from holy and have no ability to be in a relationship with Him, save His mercy and help. The fact that we can be called children of God, lets us know that God’s love is better than conditional. Through Christ’s obedience – both His active and passive obedience – the conditions for a covenant relationship with God are met. Praise God that we experience the “unconditional love of God” through Christ who has met the conditions on our behalf.

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